WASHINGTON — Crystal Mountain and Mission Ridge ski resorts will open for skiing and snowboarding for the 2019-20 season this Friday.
The mountains saw around a foot of snow each this week. Due to the low temperatures, crews were able to fire up the snowmaking system to add another enough cover to open the lower slopes.
The natural snowfall combined with snow making has provided enough coverage to open the Discovery Meadow, which is the beginner family-friendly area at Crystal. The Discovery Chairlift will be open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Mt. Rainier Gondola will also be open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for scenic rides.
There will be no skiing from the gondola.
Mission Ridge will open Chair 1 and the Pika Peak Rope Tow.
Lift ticket prices will be discounted to $45 for ages 25-69, $35 for ages 18-24, $25 for ages 10-17, $5 for ages 9 & under and $15 for ages 70+ to reflect the limited opening of chairlifts and terrain.
Artificial snow-making will continue throughout the week and more lifts and terrain will open as conditions allow.
Crystal Mountain will be closed from Dec. 2 to Dec. 5 and will re-open for daily operations starting Friday, Dec. 6.